Hello all,New member here in Satellite Beach FL. I have a '82 28' Cat Ketch (wishbone booms) that I'm about to begin restoring and have a question for other owners on steering wheel size.Mine wheel is 32" and steers very easily but take up a lot of room. I'd like to drop a few inches to make it easier to get around the cockpit and locker door clearance.Wondering if others have done this and how it worked out? Thanks for your help.Merlin

My F30 CK (ie the same boat but sold in the UK) has a 30" wheel on a Whitlock Cobra system. That gives 1 1/2 turns lock to lock. Reducing the wheel size would make the helm heavier. I wouldn't want to do that.

If your boat is afloat you could get an idea of helm load by sailing in a strong wind holding part way down the spokes rather than holding the rim of the wheel.

The former owner of my freedom 28 had converted to a smaller wheel. I have sailed in 35 knot winds and have not had trouble controlling the boat. The next time I visit the boat I will measure the wheel size on Raven.